New film on Mumbai terrorist attacks pulled in light of shootings in Christchurch

David McKay (left) and Peter Wyper (right) waiting to see the movie Hotel Mumbai at Events Cinemas in Tauranga. Photo / George Novak

Following the terrorist shootings at two Mosques in Christchurch on Friday, the film Hotel Mumbai which was released on March 14 has been pulled from all New Zealand cinemas.

Hotel Mumbai, which stars Dev Patel and Armie Hammer, is based on a co-ordinated terror attack in November 2008 by a Pakistani terrorist cell at the hotel and several other locations in the city of Mumbai, which left more than 160 people dead.

The two-hour film, directed by Australian Anthony Maras, depicts the attacks in Mumbai, India in what a news.com.au reviewer called "harrowing" and "haunting" detail.

Tourists and locals going about their business of living were killed.

So too were the 50 people who died in the shootings at Al Noor and Linwood Mosques in Christchurch on Friday and the dozens who were injured.

In a press statement, Scott Mota, the head of group marketing at Icon Film Distribution today announced the suspension of the film from all New Zealand cinemas.

Icon Film Distribution also suspended all advertising around the film.

"After consultation with local exhibition partners, the decision was made to suspend the film out of respect for a country in mourning," Mota said.

Further release of Hotel Mumbai has been suspended until March 28.

Hotel Mumbai was running at Tauranga and Mount Maunganui morning

Tauranga mates Peter Wyper, 69, from Matua and David McKay, 78, from Bethlehem said there were taking advantage of their Gold card discount to see the film at Events Cinema yesterday.

Wyper said he read the preview about what the film was about and wanted to see it.

"It's not like going to see a Rambo-style movie which tends to glorify violence. Hotel Mumbai from what I have read is about the power of human spirit to triumph over hate.

The film is told through the stories of survivors, eye witness accounts and transcripts including the acts of bravery as people worked together to survive their horrific ordeal.

Wyper said he was absolutely shocked about what happened in Christchurch.

"My heart goes to all Muslims. I would like to give them a huge hug and tell them this is not how the rest of us are feeling about them," he said.

"This type of appalling violence cannot be tolerated...Unfortunately, this is the world we live in today and all New Zealanders must stand united to fight against it," he said.